Modular load carrier, modular load carrier assembly and modular load carrier system

Abstract

Modular load carrier (1) with at least one support plate (2), at least two longitudinal beams (6) arranged on an underside of the support plate (2), several first connecting pieces (4) connecting the longitudinal beams (6) to the support plate (2), which are connected to the longitudinal beams (6) and the support plate (2) via detachable identical connecting elements (5), wherein the connecting elements (5) are arranged on the first connecting pieces (4) in three axes orthogonally aligned to each other and each form identical fastening projections (7) accessible from the outside of the first connecting pieces (4).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a modular charge carrier having the features of the preamble of claim 1, a modular charge carrier assembly having the features of the preamble of claim 16, and a modular charge carrier system having the features of the preamble of claim 18.

[0002] Load carriers generally serve to form a transport base for a load, on which the load can be additionally secured against slippage if necessary. For this purpose, it is common to use standard load carriers or wooden pallets, which are manufactured in large quantities in a uniform size. These standard load carriers have uniform dimensions, with the size of the load carrier limiting or defining the size and geometry of the load to be secured to them.

[0003] If loads with very large dimensions or a very complex geometry are to be transported, the standard load carriers cannot be used, and load carriers of individual size made of wood must be manufactured, which must be disposed of after their use, in extreme cases only once.

[0004] Furthermore, it is known from EP 4 023 562 A1 to assemble load carriers modularly from various basic components, wherein the basic components comprise a plate-shaped support element, several regularly arranged support bodies attached to the underside of the support element, and several struts connecting the support bodies to each other on their undersides.

[0005] From WO 2015 / 072844 A1, a modular load carrier is known which has several support elements of identical geometry that can be connected via uniform connecting elements to form an enlarged and individually configurable geometry. The support elements are connected to the connecting elements on their side surfaces and, together with the connecting elements, form a flat support surface for the load to be transported. The connection is realized according to the tongue-and-groove principle, whereby the support elements are inserted into lateral longitudinal grooves of the connecting elements with corresponding projections. Depending on the number and arrangement of the connected support elements, large rectangular, L-shaped, T-shaped, or even very elongated load carriers with a geometry individually adapted to the shape of the load to be transported can thus be assembled.After use, the load carrier can be disassembled into its individual components and then reassembled into a load carrier with a different geometry. The advantage of this solution lies in improved sustainability due to the reusability of the load carriers in their individual parts. Furthermore, load carriers with customized geometries can be manufactured much faster, as no separate manufacturing process is required beyond the assembly of the individual components. Additionally, the load carrier can be transported in a much more compact form after use and disassembly.

[0006] Other modularly constructed charge carriers are known from US 5 794 543 A and WO 01 / 62611 A1, wherein the described charge carriers each have the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0007] Against this background, the invention is based on the objective of creating a modular charge carrier, a modular charge carrier composite and a modular charge carrier system with improved variability of the geometry of the charge carrier.

[0008] To solve the problem, a modular charge carrier with the features of claim 1, a modular charge carrier assembly with the features of claim 16, and a modular charge carrier system with the features of claim 18 are proposed. Further preferred developments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims, the figures, and the accompanying description.

[0009] To solve the task, a modular load carrier is used with at least one support plate, at least two longitudinal beams arranged on the underside of the support plate, several first connecting pieces connecting the longitudinal beams to the support plate, which are connected to the longitudinal beams and the support plate via detachable identical connecting elements, is proposed, in which the connecting elements are arranged on the first connecting pieces in three axes orthogonally aligned to each other and each form identical fastening points accessible from the outside of the first connecting pieces.

[0010] The proposed modular load carrier can be assembled very quickly using the proposed basic elements and the connecting pieces and fasteners. By using support plates with individual dimensions in a specific number and arrangement with longitudinal beams, also with individual dimensions in a specific number and arrangement, a modular load carrier with corresponding dimensions can be assembled. Furthermore, several, and especially different, load carriers can be combined into a modular load carrier of individual shape and larger dimensions using the standardized fastening points provided.The connecting elements arranged along the three orthogonally aligned axes allow the load carriers to be joined together to form either a flat load carrier or a load carrier with correspondingly raised side panels or support legs for supporting stacked load carriers, or for laterally securing the component being transported. The fastening elements provide standardized interfaces, enabling the assembly of the load carrier into various geometries. These fastening elements can also be used to attach additional components, such as push-through protection, lashing eyes, or other accessories for securing the components.The support plate, together with the longitudinal beams, connectors, and fasteners, forms a modular system that allows the user to assemble a modular load carrier with a customized shape by reusing the parts, in order to transport a component with a correspondingly customized shape. The fasteners can be used for two purposes: firstly, to connect the longitudinal beams to the support plates or to connect other parts of the load carrier itself; and secondly, to attach further parts and, in particular, additional load carriers to the load carrier via the provided fastening points.

[0011] It is further proposed that at least one connecting element on at least one first connecting piece forms a fastening point accessible from the top of the support plate. This fastening point, accessible from the top of the support plate, makes it possible to attach parts directly to the support plate. These could be, for example, limiting elements, lashing eyes, side walls, or other support structures such as those for pipes, flat glass components, complex add-on parts of vehicle structures, and the like.

[0012] It is further proposed that at least one connecting element on at least one first connecting piece forms a fastening point accessible from the underside of one of the longitudinal beams. Such a fastening point can be used, for example, to attach a wheel to the load carrier or to attach the load carrier itself to a floor structure of a truck, aircraft, or ship. Furthermore, support legs for raising the load carrier can also be attached to this fastening point.

[0013] It is further proposed that at least one of the longitudinal beams be formed from two half-shells, with the first connecting pieces arranged between these half-shells. These connecting pieces then link the half-shells to the longitudinal beams via the connecting elements. The longitudinal beams themselves are thus also modularly composed of two half-shells and can therefore be further disassembled into smaller individual parts for dismantling the load carrier. In addition, the connecting pieces and connecting elements are used to join the half-shells. Furthermore, after the longitudinal beams are assembled, the connecting pieces are additionally fixed to them. The connecting pieces are thus secured between the half-shells within the longitudinal beam.The half-shells can also be connected to each other in a further strengthened composite, either detachably or permanently, via adhesive bonds, welded connections or snap-fit ​​connections.

[0014] It is further proposed that the half-shells be designed using lightweight construction with two open spaces each, and that a dimensionally stable stiffening section be incorporated between these spaces. In this way, the longitudinal beams can be made very lightweight, yet the central stiffening section ensures they are still sufficiently rigid to withstand the forces they must bear.

[0015] The two halves of the shell can preferably be connected to each other via a second connecting piece in the stiffening section. By connecting the two halves via this second central connecting piece, the two halves are joined to each other not only by the first connecting pieces but also by a second central connecting piece, resulting in a stronger connection.

[0016] The second connecting piece can have at least two detachable connecting elements arranged in two orthogonally aligned axes, with a first connecting element forming a fastening point accessible from the support plate and a second connecting element forming a fastening point accessible from the longitudinal sides of the longitudinal beam. This allows the second connecting piece to be used for fastening the support plate to the longitudinal beams and for fastening further parts to the support plate or for laterally fastening a second modular load carrier.

[0017] It is further proposed that spacers be provided between at least two longitudinal beams. These spacers allow the longitudinal beams to be pre-fixed in a predetermined orientation relative to each other for mounting the support plate. In addition, the spacers serve to further stiffen the entire fully assembled load carrier.

[0018] It is further proposed that the first and / or second connecting pieces have tubular extensions with an internal thread, and that the connecting elements are formed by receiving bushings with an external thread, with which they are screwed into an internal thread of a tubular extension of the first and / or second connecting piece. The connecting pieces are thus subsequently connected to the connecting elements, with the tubular extensions with the internal threads determining the screw-in direction and thus the fastening direction of the connecting elements.

[0019] It is further proposed that the receiving bushings each have a radially outwardly directed flange, which limits the screwing movement of the receiving bushings into the tubular extensions. The flanges thus form a counter-bearing for the receiving bushings, which limits the screwing movement and can additionally be used for a clamping fastening of the support plate and the half-shells of the longitudinal beams.

[0020] It is further proposed that the receiving bushings have free through-holes, each forming the mounting point. The receiving bushings are thus tubular in shape and are screwed into the tubular projections of the connecting pieces with their radially outer thread, simultaneously forming the respective mounting points with their free through-holes. This allows for a very compact design of the load carrier, as the receiving bushings form the mounting points through the through-holes without requiring any additional installation space.

[0021] It is further proposed that at least two opposing tubular extensions arranged on a connecting piece be coaxially aligned, with the receiving sockets arranged therein and their through-openings forming a common through-opening. This common through-opening allows the adjacent load carrier, attachment, etc., to be fastened through the entire connecting piece, thus creating a particularly stable connection.

[0022] It is further proposed that at least two pairs of opposing tubular projections be provided on a connector, which, together with the receiving sockets arranged therein, form a first and a second common through-opening, wherein the common through-openings are arranged orthogonally to each other and intersect in a central section. The connector thus enables a continuous connection in two orthogonally oriented directions, with the space formed by the central intersection section being used for both connection directions.Only one of the common through-openings can be used for fastening through the central section, while the other common through-opening cannot be used for fastening through the central section and can instead only be used for one-sided fastening in the area of ​​the separate tubular extensions and the connecting elements provided therein.

[0023] It is further proposed that the connecting pieces be designed as injection-molded plastic parts and that the internal threads be formed by threaded inserts. Injection-molded plastic parts can be manufactured particularly cost-effectively in large quantities, even with complex geometries, whereby the threads are not molded in but formed by separate threaded inserts.

[0024] It is further proposed that the threaded inserts be formed by a helically wound metal strand. The proposed design of the threaded inserts has the advantage that they can be connected to the connecting pieces by simply screwing or pressing them into the tubular projections of the connecting pieces, and that the shape of their coils simultaneously forms the internal threads for screwing in the connecting elements.

[0025] To solve the problem, a modular load carrier assembly is proposed, comprising at least two modular load carriers designed according to any one of claims 1 to 15, each detachably connected to the other via at least one fastening element with at least one fastening means. The proposed load carrier assembly is characterized by a variable geometry, achieved through the various fastening options for the load carriers. Furthermore, the load carrier assembly is characterized by the fact that it can be disassembled and thus its individual components can be reassembled and reused.

[0026] It is further proposed that the fastening device be formed by a rod-shaped clamping element that extends through the through-openings of at least two first and / or second connecting pieces of different load carriers. The use of the proposed rod-shaped clamping element is advantageous because the load carriers can be fastened by simply inserting and clamping the clamping element, the insertion of which is facilitated by the design of the fastening points as through-openings.

[0027] Furthermore, a modular load carrier system for the production of modular load carriers is developed. The proposed system comprises support plates, longitudinal beams, first connecting pieces, and connecting elements connecting the support plates and the longitudinal beams to the connecting pieces, wherein the first connecting pieces have identically designed fastening projections arranged in three orthogonally aligned axes, which allow for optional fastening of the support plates or longitudinal beams via the connecting elements.

[0028] The proposed load carrier system allows load carriers to be assembled into a customized geometry for transporting loads with a corresponding shape. Furthermore, the system enables the load carriers to be disassembled after use for transport in a more compact form and reassembled to form a new load carrier, which may also have a different shape. The identically designed fastening elements, arranged in three orthogonally aligned axes, are the core of the invention, as they allow for the variability of assembling the load carriers in different shapes.

[0029] It is further proposed that the longitudinal beams be formed from at least two identical half-shells, with the first connecting pieces joining the two half-shells to form the longitudinal beams. This allows the modular load carrier to be further disassembled within the modular load carrier system, with the connecting pieces acting as the central connecting elements, joining the two half-shells and simultaneously serving to attach the longitudinal beams to the support plates and to other longitudinal beams of adjacent load carriers. The half-shells can also be detachably connected to each other via snap-fit ​​connections, creating a more robust assembly. Alternatively, the two half-shells can also be joined together via additional adhesive or welded connections, creating a permanent assembly, so that the longitudinal beams themselves form a non-disassemblable but robustly integrated module component of the load carrier system.

[0030] Preferably, a plurality of identically designed support plates, longitudinal beams, and initial connecting pieces are provided, which can be connected to form modular load carriers with different geometries. The load carrier system enables the production of modular load carriers of different shapes through the combination of support plates, longitudinal beams, and connecting pieces in various arrangements. The load carriers can be disassembled for reuse and, if required, subsequently reassembled into a different shape.

[0031] It is further proposed that the connecting elements be formed by tubular receiving bushings, which have a through-opening that provides a mounting point for attaching another support plate, a longitudinal beam, or other attachments. The connecting elements thus not only serve to connect the support plate and the longitudinal beams to the connecting pieces, but also, with their through-openings, serve as mounting points for connecting to further longitudinal beams, support plates, or attachments, thereby further increasing the variability of the load carrier system.

[0032] The invention is explained below with reference to preferred embodiments and the accompanying figures. Figs. 1a-1h: a modular load carrier in a first embodiment; and Figs. 2a-2h: a modular load carrier in a second embodiment; and Figs. 3a-3d: a longitudinal beam made of two half-shells of the second embodiment with two connecting pieces; and Figs. 4a-4d: a longitudinal beam made of two half-shells of the first embodiment with three connecting pieces; and Figs. 5a-5d: a second connecting piece in various views; and Figs. 6a-6d: a first connecting piece in various views; and Figs. 7a-7c: two longitudinal beams connected to each other by an eccentric clamping element and the eccentric clamping element as a separate part; and Figs. 8a-8c: two longitudinal beams connected to each other by a ball locking element and the ball locking element as a separate part; and Figs. 9a-9c: a connecting element in various views; and Figs. 10a-10g: two different load carriers according to the invention with wheels in various views; and Fig.Figures 11a-11e: a load carrier according to the invention with a push-through protection device in various views; and Figures 12a-12f: a vehicle floor with several load carriers and their fastening in various views; and Figures 13a-13d: a modular load carrier assembly according to the invention with two load carriers and several support supports for connecting the load carriers; and Figures 14a-14c: a load carrier according to the invention made from a retrofitted standard pallet.

[0033] In the Figuren 1a-1h and 2a-2h Two different embodiments of a modular load carrier 1 according to the invention can be seen. Both load carriers 1 have as basic building elements a support plate 2, several longitudinal beams 6, several spacers 3, several connecting pieces 4, 12 and several connecting elements 5.

[0034] The claimed load carrier system comprises several support plates 2, longitudinal beams 6, connecting pieces 4, 12, and connecting elements 5, which, in the form of a modular system, can be optionally connected and disassembled to form an L-shaped, T-shaped, square, or rectangular modular load carrier assembly with various dimensions. Support plates 2 and longitudinal beams 6 with different dimensions can also be connected using identical connecting pieces 4, 12 and connecting elements 5 to create load carriers 1 with different dimensions.

[0035] The longitudinal beams 6 of the two embodiments are supplied as individual parts in the Fig. 3a-3d and 4a-4d to be recognized. The longitudinal beam 6 of the first embodiment, shown in the Fig. 4a-4c The longitudinal beam 6 comprises two half-shells 8 and 9, which are held together in the assembled position by first connecting pieces 4 and second connecting pieces 12. The longitudinal beam 6 and the half-shells 8 and 9 each have two recesses 10, which are separated from each other by a central stiffening section 11. The half-shells 8 and 9 of the longitudinal beam 6 are injection-molded plastic parts and are therefore very lightweight, yet dimensionally stable due to their design as three-dimensional profile parts with the recesses 10 and the stiffening section 11. The dead weight of the longitudinal beam 6 is further reduced by the recesses 10. The half-shells 8 and 9 are shaped such that cavities are provided in the stiffening section 11 and in the end sections, into which the first and second connecting pieces 4 and 12 are inserted. The longitudinal beam 6 of the second embodiment in the Fig. 3a-3d is basically identical in structure, and differs only in that no second connecting pieces 12 are provided in the stiffening section 11, so that the half-shells 8 and 9 are only held together by the first connecting pieces 4.

[0036] In the end cavities are first connecting pieces 4, which are in the Figuren 6a-6d The first connecting pieces 4, which can be seen enlarged in various views, are provided. The first connecting pieces 4 have six tubular extensions 13, each with a through-opening 18. Two of the tubular extensions 13 are arranged coaxially to each other on opposite sides of the first connecting piece 4, and their through-openings 18 combine to form a common through-opening 19. The tubular extensions 13, with their through-openings 18, are arranged in three orthogonally aligned axes according to a Cartesian coordinate system.

[0037] The in the Figuren 5a-5d The second connecting piece 12, which is located centrally in the longitudinal beam 6 in the stiffening section 11, has only four tubular projections 13, each with a through opening 18, which are arranged in pairs opposite each other coaxially and with their through openings 18 form two common through openings 19 that are orthogonally aligned to each other.

[0038] Threaded inserts 20 are arranged in the tubular extensions 13 of the connecting pieces 4, 12. The threaded inserts 20 are formed by helically twisted metal wires with a round or rectangular cross-section, the metal wires being wound to an identical diameter. The outer diameters of the threaded inserts 20 are slightly larger than the inner diameters of the through-holes 18, so that they are clamped into the tubular extensions 13 by pressing or screwing them in. The threaded inserts 20 then form an internal thread 14 in the tubular extensions 13.

[0039] The connecting pieces 4 and 12 are made of a dimensionally stable plastic, preferably injection-molded from HDPE or PET. If the threaded inserts 20 have a rectangular or rhomboid cross-section, they are oriented such that one circumferential edge is located radially outside and another radially inside, thus forming a thread. The circumferential outer edge of the metal strand, when pressed into the inner surface of the through-opening 18 of the tubular extension 13, forms a positive-locking or friction-locking connection between the threaded insert 20 and the connecting piece 4 or 12, while the circumferential inner edge forms the internal thread 14.

[0040] The connecting elements 5 are formed by receiving bushings 16, one of which is located in the Fig. 9a-9c The enlarged image shows the following: The receiving bushings 16 are tubular with an annular cylindrical shaft 24 having an external thread 15, a through-hole 23, and a radially outwardly extending flange 17. The flange 17 has two openings 25, which allow the receiving bushings 16 to be handled with a tool for assembly. Additionally or alternatively, the receiving bushings 16 can also have force-applying surfaces, such as an external hexagonal profile, an internal hexagonal profile, or one or more slots or shoulders for tool handling. Furthermore, the receiving bushings 16 have a conical chamfer 32 on the front side of the through-hole 23 (i.e., on the flange side of the through-hole 23) and another conical chamfer 32 on the side of the through-hole 23 facing away from the flange 17.

[0041] For the assembly of the longitudinal beams 6, the first connecting pieces 4 and, in the exemplary embodiment, the Fig.4a-4d The second connecting pieces 12 are also inserted into the cavities of the half-shells 8 and 9, such that the through-openings 18 with the threaded inserts 20 of the tubular extensions 13 arranged therein are each aligned with an opening of one of the half-shells 8 or 9, or with an opening resulting from the assembly of the half-shells 8 and 9. Subsequently, the receiving bushings 16, i.e., the connecting elements 5, are screwed from the outside through the openings of the half-shells 8 and 9 of the longitudinal beam 6 into the internal threads 14 of the threaded inserts 20 using the external thread 15. The screw-in depth of the receiving bushings 16 is limited by the contact of the flanges 17 with the outer surfaces of the half-shells 8 and 9. Furthermore, the half-shells 8 and 9 are thereby connected to the connecting pieces 4 and, via the connecting pieces 4 and 12, are connected to each other to form a longitudinal beam 6, as shown in the Figuren 3d and 4das can be seen. If such are to be provided, the spacers 3 are then inserted between the longitudinal beams 6, which fix the longitudinal beams 6 at predetermined intervals from each other. The support plates 2 are then placed on top, aligning their mounting openings so that they are flush with the through-openings 18 of the tubular extensions 13 of the connecting pieces 4 and 12 in the longitudinal beams 6, which are accessible from above and into which no connecting elements 5 or receiving bushings 16 have yet been screwed. To fasten the support plates 2, the connecting elements 5, i.e., the receiving bushings 16, are then screwed in from the top surfaces of the support plates 2 until the receiving bushings 16, with their flanges 17, clamp against the top surfaces of the support plates 2 and connect the support plates 2 to the longitudinal beams 6 via the connecting pieces 4 and 12 to form a modular load carrier 1, as shown in the Fig. 1a and 2a can be recognized.

[0042] The connecting elements 5 are designed as receiving bushings 16, each with a through-opening 23, as shown in the Figu-ren 9a bis 9c The through-openings 23 form fastening elements 7. Since the receiving bushings 16 are aligned with each other in correspondingly orthogonal axes due to the correspondingly aligned tubular extensions 13 and their through-openings 18 on the connecting pieces 4 and 12, the receiving bushings 16 with their through-openings 23, i.e., the fastening elements 7 of the load carriers 1, are also arranged in correspondingly orthogonal axes. The through-openings 23 of the receiving bushings 16 form the fastening elements 7 according to the invention. If no connecting elements 5 are screwed into the tubular extensions 13, it is also conceivable to screw various additional parts with corresponding threads directly into the internal threads 14 of the tubular extensions 13.

[0043] These fastening approaches 7 enable the load carriers 1 to be combined with further load carriers 1 to form a modular load carrier assembly as in the Fig. 7a,7b and 8a,8c As can be seen, a detachable fastening element 21 in the form of a rod-shaped clamping element 22 is provided for fastening the load carriers 1 to one another. This element is inserted from the inside of a free space 10 into a through-opening 23 of a connecting element 5 of a first connecting piece 4, further pushed through the through-opening 23 of the opposite connecting element 5 on the same first connecting piece 4, and finally pushed through the through-openings 23 of the connecting elements 5 of the first connecting piece 4 of the adjacent load carrier 1. The clamping element 22 can be, as shown in the Fig. 7c The clamping element can be identified as an eccentric clamping element with an eccentric clamp 26 provided at one end and a support element 27 arranged at the other free end, with a locking element 28, e.g., in the form of a screwed-on nut. If the rod-shaped clamping element 22 has a smaller diameter in its rod section than the diameter of the through-openings 23 in the receiving bushings 16, a spacer sleeve 31 can additionally be provided, which is inserted to reduce the diameter before the clamping element 22 is inserted into the through-openings 23 of the connecting pieces 4 or 12, as shown in the Fig. 7b This can be seen. If the clamping element 22 is designed as an eccentric clamping element, the spacer sleeve 31 has the advantage that, in this case, the clamping element 21 can be supported against an inner wall of the spacer sleeve 31, forming a support, when clamping transversely to its longitudinal extent.

[0044] Alternatively, the clamping element 22 can also be used as shown in the Fig. 8c The assembly can be identified as consisting of a ball locking element with a push button 29 and a ball locking mechanism 30 that can be actuated by actuating the push button 29. The ball locking mechanism 30 comprises several spring-loaded locking balls, which are spring-loaded into a radially outward locking position by a spring force. In this position, they bear against the facing conical chamfer 32 of the respective receiving bushing 16, thereby clamping the assembly of charge carriers 1 to form the modular charge carrier assembly. By actuating the push button 29, the locking balls are released and can thus move radially inwards, allowing the clamping element 22 to be pulled out of the through-opening 23 of the receiving bushing 16 and reinserted for assembly. The clamping element 22 may additionally have a screw mechanism by which the ball locking mechanism 30 with the locking balls can be clamped against the chamfer 32.

[0045] The connection method for the load carriers 1, as provided by the invention, enables the creation of a modular load carrier assembly consisting of variously arranged and interconnected individual load carriers 1, which is adapted to the shape of the cargo to be transported. The load carriers 1 can be connected to form either a planar load carrier assembly or a three-dimensional modular load carrier assembly with upright side walls. Furthermore, the fastening elements 7 can also be used for the detachable attachment of support bars, lashing eyes, insertion limit stops for the load carriers 1, wheels, and other load carrier components such as brackets for rod elements, glass elements, stops in general, and the like.

[0046] The fastening points 7 are accessible from the top (i.e., the bearing surface of the support plates 2), from the side surfaces of the longitudinal beams 6 or load carriers 1, and from the undersides of the longitudinal beams 6 or load carriers 1, according to the orientation of the connecting elements 5 on the connecting pieces 4 and 12, which in turn is determined by the orientation of the tubular projections 13 on the connecting pieces 4 and 12. The second connecting pieces 12 each have first connecting elements 5a, which are screwed into the support plates 2 and form the fastening points 7 of the support plates 2. Furthermore, the second connecting pieces 12 have second connecting elements 5b, which form the fastening points 7 that are arranged on the longitudinal sides of the longitudinal beams 6 or load carriers 1.The first connecting pieces 4 have, in addition to the first and second connecting elements 5a and 5b, third connecting elements 5c, which form the fastening attachment points 7 on the end faces of the longitudinal beams 6 or the load carriers 1.

[0047] The common through-openings 19 of the opposing tubular projections 13 in the connecting pieces 4 and 12 intersect centrally, thereby forming a central cavity in the center of the connecting pieces 4 and 12. This makes it possible, in principle, to insert a clamping element 21 into each of the first connecting pieces 4 in three mutually orthogonal orientations: perpendicular to the support plate 2, in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal beams 6, or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal beams 6, thus establishing a connection to an adjacent load carrier 1 or additional component. For the second connecting pieces 12, this is only possible in two mutually orthogonal directions: perpendicular to the support plate 2 and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal beams 6.If a clamping element 22 passes through two first or second connecting pieces 4 or 12 and the load carriers 1 connected to it are connected above, the centers of the two connecting pieces 4, 12 are filled. While attachments or further load carriers 1 can still be fastened in the remaining fastening points 7, the fastening must be designed such that it takes place solely in the fastening point 7, i.e., in a through-opening 23 of a receiving bushing 16, i.e., a connecting element 5.

[0048] In the Fig. 10a bis 10g The two embodiments of the load carriers 1 can be identified, in which wheels 33, each with a bolt 35, are inserted through the through-openings of the first connecting element 5 accessible from the underside of the load carriers 1, so that the load carriers 1 can be moved more easily. Furthermore, towing eyes 34 are attached to each load carrier in a third connecting element 5c at its end face, which enable the attachment of corresponding towing elements such as towing ropes, towing rods or the like.

[0049] In the Fig. 11a bis 11e The figure shows a load carrier 1 according to the invention, comprising a push-through protection device 36 and two struts 37 and 38 of a support frame, such as that of a high-bay warehouse. The push-through protection device 36 has a bolt 40 with several spring-loaded locking balls, which is clamped to a pivot lever 39 of the push-through protection device 36 via a screw 41 and a washer 41. The push-through protection device 36 is inserted laterally into the through-opening 23 of a second connecting element 5b by means of the bolt 40 and is secured against being pulled out by the spring-loaded locking balls of the bolt 40, which bear against the conical chamfer 32 of the second connecting element 5b. The pivot lever 39 has two stops, a first stop limiting the rotational movement of the pivot lever 39 relative to the load carrier 1 and a second stop limiting the insertion movement of the load carrier 1 by bearing against one of the struts 37 or 38.

[0050] In the Fig. 12a bis 12f A modular load carrier assembly consisting of several load carriers 1 is shown, which is attached to a vehicle floor 43. Instead of the vehicle floor 43, the cargo floor of an aircraft, a railway wagon, or the floor of any supporting structure can also be used to attach the load carrier assembly. For attaching the load carrier assembly, a plurality of regularly arranged mounting openings are provided on the vehicle floor 43, onto which the load carriers 1 are placed, aligned with the through-openings 23 of the first connecting element 5a provided on the underside of the load carriers 1. The load carriers 1 are then attached to the vehicle floor 43 with spring-loaded tension pins 44. The tension pins 44 have an actuating button 45, a compression spring 46, and a locking bolt 47 with a spring-loaded locking ball mechanism, modeled on the bolt 40 of the push-through protection device 36 described above.The tension pins 44 are then inserted from the underside of the vehicle floor 43 through the fastening openings and the through-openings 23 of the first connecting element 5a and are clamped by releasing the actuating button 45 and releasing the locking balls to connect the load carrier 1 to the vehicle floor 43.

[0051] In the Figuren 13a bis 13c Two different embodiments of a modular load carrier assembly, each with two load carriers 1, are shown. These load carriers are connected to each other via several support struts 49 and clamping elements 50 to form a superimposed arrangement. The clamping elements 50 can, for example, be modeled on the clamping pins 44 of the embodiment of the Figur 12e The clamping elements 50 are inserted into the third connecting element 5c arranged on the front face of the load carriers 1 and clamped accordingly.

[0052] In the Fig. 14a bis 14cAn embodiment of a load carrier 1 according to the invention is shown, comprising a standard pallet 100, e.g., made of wood. The standard pallet 100 has been retrofitted to form the load carrier 1 according to the invention by means of first and second connecting pieces 4 and 12. The first and second connecting pieces 4 and 12 are designed here as block-like solid bodies and each has connecting elements 5 arranged in axes orthogonally aligned to each other, as already described above. The standard pallet 100 can have corresponding openings for attaching the connecting pieces 4 and 12, into which the connecting pieces 4 and 12 are inserted from below with a projecting tubular extension 13.Subsequently, the first connecting elements 5a are screwed into the corresponding thread 20 from the top of the standard pallet 10, thereby establishing the connection of the first and second connecting pieces 4 and 12 with the standard pallet 10 to form the modular load carrier 1 according to the invention.

[0053] In principle, when fastening with the clamping elements 22, bolts 40, tension pins 44 or locking bolts 47 with a locking ball mechanism, the chamfer 32 on the receiving bushings 16 or the connecting elements 5 is particularly advantageous, as it simplifies the clamping of the connection. Furthermore, it allows the connection to be additionally centered.

Claims

1. Modular load carrier (1) comprising - at least one base plate (2), - at least two longitudinal supports (6) arranged on an underside of the base plate (2), - a plurality of first connecting pieces (4) connecting the longitudinal supports (6) to the base plate (2), which connecting pieces are connected to the longitudinal supports (6) and to the base plate (2) via identical detachable connecting elements (5), characterized in that - the connecting elements (5) are arranged on the first connecting pieces (4) in three axes aligned orthogonally to one another, and said connecting elements each form identical fastening projections (7) which are accessible from the outer side of the first connecting pieces (4).

2. Modular load carrier (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that - at least one connecting element (5) on at least one first connecting piece (4) forms a fastening projection (7) accessible from the top side of the base plate (2).

3. Modular load carrier (1) according to either of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that - at least one connecting element (5) on at least one first connecting piece (4) forms a fastening projection (7) accessible from the underside of one of the longitudinal supports (6).

4. Modular load carrier (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that - at least one of the longitudinal supports (6) is formed in two parts from two half-shells (8, 9), and - the first connecting pieces (4) are arranged between the half-shells (8, 9), and - the first connecting pieces (4) connect the half-shells (8, 9) to one another via the connecting elements (5) to form the longitudinal supports (6).

5. Modular load carrier (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that - the half-shells (8, 9) have a lightweight design with two open spaces (10) each, and have a dimensionally stable reinforcing portion (11) between the open spaces (10).

6. Modular load carrier (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that - the half-shells (8, 9) are connected to one another in the reinforcing portion (11) via a second connecting piece (12).

7. Modular load carrier (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that - at least two detachable connecting elements (5) are provided on the second connecting piece (12), which elements are arranged in two axes aligned orthogonally to one another, a first connecting element (5a) forming a fastening projection (7) accessible from the base plate (2) and a second connecting element (5b) forming a fastening projection (7) accessible from the long sides of the longitudinal support.

8. Modular load carrier (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that - spacers (3) are provided between at least two longitudinal supports (6).

9. Modular load carrier (1) according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that - the first and / or the second connecting pieces (4, 12) have tubular projections (13) which have an internal thread (14), and - the connecting elements (5) are formed by receiving bushings (16) which have an external thread (15) with which they are each screwed into an internal thread (14) of a tubular projection (13) of the first and / or the second connecting piece (4, 12).

10. Modular load carrier (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that - the receiving bushings (16) each have a flange (17) directed radially outwardly which limits the screwing movement of the receiving bushings (16) into the tubular projections (13).

11. Modular load carrier (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that - the receiving bushings (16) have free through-openings (23) which each form the fastening projection (7).

12. Modular load carrier (1) according to any of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that - at least two tubular projections (13) arranged opposite one another on a connecting piece (4, 12) are arranged coaxially to one another, and - the receiving bushings (16) arranged therein combine with their through-openings (23) to form a common through-opening (19).

13. Modular load carrier (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that - at least two pairs of opposite tubular projections (13) are provided on a connecting piece (4, 12), which combine with the receiving bushings (16) arranged therein to form a first and a second common through-opening (19), - the common through-openings (19) being arranged orthogonally to one another and intersecting in a central portion.

14. Modular load carrier (1) according to any of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that - the connecting pieces (4, 12) are designed as injection-molded plastics parts and the internal threads (14) are formed by threaded inserts (20).

15. Modular load carrier (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that - the threaded inserts (20) are formed by a helically wound metal strand.

16. Modular load carrier assembly comprising at least two modular load carriers (1) designed according to any of claims 1 to 15, which load carriers are detachably connected to one another, in each case via at least one fastening projection (7) with at least one fastening means (21).

17. Modular load carrier assembly according to claim 16 comprising at least two modular load carriers (1) according to any of claims 11 to 13 or according to either of claims 14 or 15 in reference to any of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that - the fastening means (21) is formed by a rod-shaped clamping element (22) passing through the through-openings (18) of at least two first and / or second connecting pieces (4, 12) of different load carriers (1).

18. Modular load carrier system for the production of modular load carriers (1) comprising - base plates (2), - longitudinal supports (6), - first connecting pieces (4), and - the base plates (2) and the longitudinal supports (6) which have the connecting elements (5) connecting the connecting pieces (4), characterized in that - the first connecting pieces (4) have identically designed tubular projections (13) arranged in three axes aligned orthogonally to one another, which tubular projections allow for optional fastening of the base plates (2), longitudinal supports (6) or additional add-on parts via the connecting elements (5).

19. Modular load carrier system according to claim 18, characterized in that - the longitudinal supports (6) are formed in at least two parts from two identical half-shells (8, 9), and - the first connecting pieces (4) connect the two half-shells (8, 9) to one another to form the longitudinal supports (6).

20. Modular load carrier system according to either of claims 18 or 19, characterized in that - a plurality of identically designed base plates (2), longitudinal supports (6) and first connecting pieces (4) are provided, which can be connected to one another to form modular load carriers (1) which have different geometries.

21. Modular load carrier system according to any of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that - the connecting elements (5) are formed by tubular receiving bushings (16) which have a through-opening (23) which forms a fastening projection (7) for fastening an additional base plate (2), a longitudinal support (6) or additional add-on parts.

Images